ZooArizona, US

Bearizona

Bearizona is Arizona's premier wildlife park, offering a thrilling and educational journey through North American wilderness.

Open in Maps

About

Bearizona is Arizona's premier wildlife park, offering a thrilling and educational journey through North American wilderness. This captivating destination seamlessly combines a three-mile drive-through safari with a 20-acre walk-through area known as Fort Bearizona. In the drive-through, visitors remain in their vehicles as they slowly navigate through Ponderosa Pine forests, observing impressive North American animals such as black bears, grizzly bears, arctic wolves, American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep in large, natural habitats. The experience provides a unique opportunity to witness these creatures exhibiting natural behaviors in an expansive setting, often coming quite close to your car. Once parked, guests can explore Fort Bearizona on foot, a meticulously designed area that feels like a traditional zoo with smaller, more intimate exhibits. Here, you'll find captivating displays featuring playful North American river otters, elusive jaguars, and fascinating smaller mammals like porcupines, bobcats, raccoons, and red foxes. The fort also hosts the popular bear cub exhibit, where young bears can often be seen wrestling or lounging in trees, and engaging daily animal shows. The park's design emphasizes conservation and education, with many animals being rescues, providing a safe and enriching environment for them while offering visitors a deeper appreciation for wildlife. Bearizona is an exceptional family-friendly attraction that makes for a perfect day trip or a memorable stop on a Grand Canyon or Route 66 adventure. Its blend of a close-up safari adventure and a traditional zoo experience ensures a dynamic visit, allowing for unparalleled photo opportunities and educational moments. Whether you're watching a bison graze near your car or observing otters at play, Bearizona offers unique and engaging encounters with the wild. Be ready to snap and learn! Get the Snappit app to identify any nature species you find here.

Bearizona was founded in 2010 by Sean and Dennis Casey, whose parents had previously established Bear Country USA, another drive-through safari park, in South Dakota. They chose Williams, Arizona, for their park due to its strategic location near the intersection of I-40 and Highway 64, which leads directly to Grand Canyon National Park, expecting high visitor traffic. The suitable climate of the region also played a role in their decision. The concept for Bearizona was approved by the city in July 2009, with the Caseys purchasing the 160-acre property the following month. Construction of the drive-through exhibits began in October 2009, and despite a challenging winter with significant snowfall, the park celebrated its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 22, 2010. Since its inception, Bearizona has continued to expand its offerings, adding a jaguar exhibit in 2016 and an otter exhibit in 2018, further enriching the visitor experience. The park is dedicated to responsible wildlife management, conservation, and education, often providing homes for animals in need.

What to do here

Drive through the three-mile safari loop, park and explore Fort Bearizona on foot, watch live animal programs, dine at Canyonlands Restaurant, and browse the large gift shop.

Seasonal info

Seasonal events include the "Animal After Party" for adults in the summer and "Okto-Beer-Fest" in October. The park operates year-round, with animals active in all seasons.

Accessibility

Bearizona is fully accessible for individuals with mobility challenges. Wheelchairs are available upon request on a first-come, first-served basis in Fort Bearizona. The walkways in Fort Bearizona are also stroller-friendly.

Plan your visit

Suggested duration: Plan for approximately 3-4 hours to fully experience both the drive-through and walk-through sections. The drive-through portion typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, while the walk-through area can easily occupy 1-2 hours. Many visitors choose to stay longer, particularly if they opt to drive through the safari multiple times.
Best time to visit: The animals at Bearizona are generally more active in the mornings, especially during the cooler months or early morning and late afternoon in the summer. Visiting on a weekday often means fewer crowds and potentially lower admission prices. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather. Most bears at Bearizona remain active throughout the winter and do not hibernate, making it a viable year-round destination, and winter visits can offer unique views of animals in snowy settings.
Location: Arizona, US
Species in this guide: 13

Best for

Families With ChildrenWildlife Enthusiasts And Nature LoversPhotography And VideographyRoad Trippers, Especially Those Visiting The Grand Canyon Or Traveling Route 66

Open in Maps

Don't miss

Drive-Through Wildlife Park

Experience North American black bears, grizzly bears, arctic wolves, American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats from your vehicle.

Fort Bearizona

A walk-through zoo section featuring North American river otters, jaguars, bear cubs, porcupines, bobcats, raccoons, and red foxes.

BZ Wild Show

Daily animal demonstrations providing educational insights and entertainment.

Petting Zoo

An interactive area within Fort Bearizona, perfect for younger visitors.

Wildlife you might spot

Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.

Black Bear

American Bison

Elk

North American River Otter

Snap map for this place

Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.

Loading map…

Good to know before you go

Go early

Arrive in the morning when the animals are typically most active and the park is less crowded, especially during peak seasons.

Clean your car windows

For the best viewing and photo opportunities in the drive-through, ensure your car windows are clean and free of reflections.

Drive safely and patiently

Maintain the posted speed limit (typically 5-10 mph), keep windows rolled up, doors locked, and stay in your vehicle. Animals may sometimes block the road, so patience is key.

Consider the Wild Ride Bus Tour

If you prefer not to drive your own vehicle or want a guided experience, take the Wild Ride Bus Tour. Guides offer insights and may provide special feeding opportunities for better views.

Wear comfortable shoes

You'll be doing a fair amount of walking in Fort Bearizona, so comfortable footwear is recommended.

Bring binoculars

Some animals in the expansive drive-through habitats can be further away, so binoculars will enhance your viewing experience.

Pack a picnic

Bearizona allows visitors to bring picnic lunches to designated picnic areas, which can be a budget-friendly option.

Frequently asked questions

: Yes, your admission ticket allows you to drive through the wildlife park as many times as you like during your visit day. This is particularly helpful if you missed seeing an animal on your first pass or wish to observe them again.
: In the drive-through safari, you can expect to see iconic North American animals such as black bears, grizzly bears, arctic wolves, American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. The walk-through Fort Bearizona features North American river otters, jaguars, bobcats, raccoons, red foxes, and various smaller animals, including bear cubs.
: Yes, Bearizona is fully accessible for visitors with mobility challenges. Wheelchairs are available for rent or on a first-come, first-served basis in Fort Bearizona. The pathways throughout the walk-through area are also designed to be stroller-friendly.